Pounamu Pounamu - Te reo Maori edition

Witi Ihimaera was the first Maori to publish both a book of short stories and a novel, and has published many notable novels, collections of short stories and in 2020 published his substantial non-fiction work, Navigating the Stars. Described by Metro magazine as ‘Part oracle, part memoralist,’ and ‘an inspired voice, weaving many stories together’, Ihimaera has also written for stage and screen - including libretti - edited books on the arts and culture, as well as published various works for children. His first book, Pounamu, Pounamu, has not been out of print since its first publication in 1972. His works have received many awards over the years, such as the Wattie Book of the Year Award and the Montana Book Award, and most recently the Ockham Award for best non-fiction in 2016 for his first volume of memoir, Maori Boy. The second volume, Native Son, was published in 2019, the same year Pūrakau was released, which he co-edited- editing volumes celebrating the work of other writers has also been an important part of Witi’s focus. He has also had careers in diplomacy, teaching, theatre, opera, film and television. He has received numerous awards for his contribution to literature, including the inaugural Star of Oceania Award, University of Hawaii, a laureate award from the New Zealand Arts Foundation 2009, the Toi Maori Maui Tiketike Award 2011, and the Premio Ostana International Award, presented to him in Italy 2010. In 2004 he became a Distinguished Companion of the Order of New Zealand, in 2017 France made him Chevalier de l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres and the same year he received the NZ Prime Minister’s Awards for Literary Achievement.

Translators

Paraone Gloyne is a descendant of Ngati Raukawa ki Wharepūhunga and Ngati Maniapoto. Paraone is known as a composer, speaker, and performer. He lives in Te Awamutu and has long been a supporter of the revitalization of Maori language and culture. He and his wife, Ngahuia Kopa, are the teachers and leaders of the kapa haka group Motai Tangata Rau.

Paraone is known for his skill in composing, including establishing the Mahuru Maori kaupapa, which promotes the speaking of the language in our daily lives, not just during the month of Mahuru.

In 2021, he ended his 17-year career at Te Wananga o Aotearoa. He continues to lead a weekly online file called Taringa, which is run by Te Wananga o Aotearoa and is a bilingual kaupapa for discussing the words, stories, tribal customs, and customs.

Ruth Smith is a descendant of Te Tairawhiti, but grew up in the tribe of her grandfather, Ngati Kohuru of Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki. She is an Ika-a-Whiro of Te Panekiretanga o te Reo, and also a graduate of Te Toi Reo, and has worked as a translator for a long time.

She has worked as a Maori language teacher at Toi Houkura- School of Maori Visual Arts, Te Wananga o Aotearoa and Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi.

She has also worked as a broadcaster for Whakaata Maori and Maori radio stations. She is a performer and composer for her people at home. She is passionate about the Maori language and its customs, and seeks to promote the language through teaching, translation, media, and consulting. In 2022, Ruth translated Witi Ihimaera’s famous book Puripaha Te Pane Kaewa.

Corin Merrick is a descendant of Ngati Whare, Waikato, Ngati Maniapoto, and Ngati Raukawa. She is a Kohanga Reo granddaughter, a Kura Kaupapa Maori graduate, and an Ika-a-Whiro of Te Panekiretanga o te Reo. She is a lawyer and consultant for many projects. She works in the Family Court as a lawyer for children and as a facilitating lawyer. She is a youth representative in the Youth Court.

In 2019, Corin and Alana Thomas published the book, Kia Kakano Rua Te Ture - A te reo Maori Handbook for the Law. Corin lives with her children and her partner in South Auckland - who is also a lawyer - supporting the projects of their community.

Ariana Stevens is from Te Tai Poutini, that is, Ngati Waewae is her hapū, and Ngai Tahu is her iwi. Te Ataarangi fed Ariana the language when she was young in Te Tau Ihu o Te Waka. Later, she took part in language revitalization work under the umbrella of Kotahi Mano Kaika. Ariana is an Ika-a-Whiro of Te Panekiretanga o te Reo, and has also completed Te Toi Reo Maori as a translator.

Over the years, Ariana has been a teacher in schools, in the community, on the marae, and in businesses. Her main job at this time is to lead her team at Reo Maori Mai. They are the ones who are implementing the education strategy and the language strategy for Ngati Waewae.

Te Ahunui Donovan Farnham is a descendant of Ngati Awa and Tūhoe. He is a graduate of Kohanga Reo, Rumaki Reo in central Tamaki Makaurau, and Waipapa Taumata Rau, all of which use Maori as the language of instruction. He is an Ika-a-Whiro of Te Panekiretanga o te Reo, and also a graduate of Te Toi Reo Maori as a translator. He has also recently graduated from Te Tohu Paerua o te Reo Kairangi under the auspices of Te Wananga o Aotearoa.

Te Ahunui has been working as a teacher in Kura Kaupapa and Rumaki for 10 years. NCEA subjects have also been taught.

Wawaro Te Whaiti is a descendant of Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Rangitane ki Wairarapa, and Kai Tahu. In 2002, she graduated from the Whare Wananga o Ako Pai in Te Whanganui a Tara as a teacher. She has taught in kohanga reo, mainstream schools, and kura kaupapa in the Upoko o te Ika and the Manawatū region. An Ika-a-Whiro of Te Panekiretanga o te Reo, and also a graduate of Te Toi Reo, she has worked as a translator for more than ten years. She is passionate about producing resources to help children and their families learn and strengthen the Maori language in learning places and homes. Wawaro has also been involved in supporting the teaching of Maori to teachers through the Te Ahu o te Reo Maori program under Takatū. At this time, in addition to these tasks, she is also supporting the change of the NCEA program in Aotearoa. The Maori language, Maori knowledge, Maori culture and the Maori people are at the heart of all her work.

Hēmi Kelly is a descendant of Ngati Maniapoto, Ngati Tahu and Ngati Whaoa. He is a Maori language teacher, writer, and translator. He is the author of the books A Maori Word A Day and A Maori Phrase A Day. He is also the creator of the learning resources of Everyday Maori. Hēmi is an Ika-a-Whiro of Te Panekiretanga o Te Reo, and has also been awarded Te Toi Reo Maori, a translator’s degree. In 2017, Hēmi translated Witi Ihimaera’s book Sleeps Standing, and Te Ruanuku by Paulo Coelho was the second book he translated. His first creative writing written in English is in the book Pūrakau - a collection of Maori stories by Maori writers.

Paiheretia Aperahama is a descendant of Te Aupouri, Muriwhenua, Ngati Tūwharetoa and Te Ātiawa. She is a written translator, a Maori language teacher, and a language supporter. Without her grandparents and her parents, she would not have been able to do these things. The Maori world is her comfort, day and night.

Herea Winitana is from the tribes of T_x016B